Category: Children   view all recent posts
October 22, 2013filed in Babies, Children, Families, Travel

ENJOY A FALL FAMILY GETAWAY TO SOUTH HAVEN, MICHIGAN – 4 TOP STOPS

This past weekend, my family and I enjoyed our traditional autumn getaway to South Haven, Michigan. Situated on the shore of Lake Michigan just a couple hours west of our home in Dexter, Michigan, South Haven is particularly gorgeous at this time of year. We always look forward to revisiting our favorite spots and discovering new sights along the way. Here are 4 must-visit places that top our list. 
 
 
STOP #1: Gene the Pumpkin Man 
 
A trip to South Haven would not be complete without a stop in Kalamazoo along the way to visit Gene the Pumpkin Man. Gene's 130 acre farm has been in his family since 1885, and according to the eye-catching sign on his barn, he's been in the pumpkin business for 56 years.


Gene is a very kind soul. Over the years he and his family have given freely to others in need by providing food and shelter and looking after people who just needed an extra hand. It's that sort of hospitality and giving spirit that bring customers back year after year. I met someone there that has purchased pumpkins from Gene for the last 42 years! 
 
Add us to the list of loyal Gene the Pumpkin Man customers. It is such a sweet place!


STOP #2: Crane Orchards 
 
There is a ton of fall fun to be had on the rambling farm property of Crane Orchards in Fennville, Michigan




Crane's has a huge fruit farm with U-pick apples, a great restaurant with every variety of pie you can imagine, and a wonderful corn maze that we love to wander through.


You can test your knowledge of corn trivia with ten numbered stations throughout the maze. Did you know corn silk makes the perfect material for a DIY mustache disguise?


STOP #3: Fall Festival at Stokes Homestead Farm Market 
 
New to our autumn weekend tradition this year was the Fall Festival at Stokes Homestead Farm Market in Grand Junction, Michigan. We found lots more fun for the kids there - pumpkin painting, a donut toss competition, mining for jewels, and even a spooky nighttime Halloween hay ride through the apple orchard.






STOP #4: South Haven Farm Market 
 
This is my favorite farmer's market of them all. At the South Haven Farmers Market, local farmers come together right in downtown South Haven to offer everything from apples to homemade maple syrup. What a treat for the eyes to walk through this market on a chilly fall morning!


Our girls' favorite is Happy Jack's Kettle corn. They enjoy watching him make the irresistibly salty and sweet treat right in front of us. We always stock up on Happy Jack's when we're in town.


Our annual family road trip is something we look forward to each fall. What are your family's must-visit places at this time of year? Please share in the comments!  
Warmly, 
Cheryl 
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Posted by Cheryl Hall. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and
September 26, 2013filed in Babies, Children, Families

SWEET LITTLE GIFTS

When photographing newborns and babies, I love to find all the small special things about them - long beautiful lashes, a cute curl in the back of the neck, a sweet cowlick in the front. When my first daughter Emma was born, the first things I noticed were her beautiful big dimples and her curly toes. With Lydia it was her large soulful eyes. For Ava, it was the swirl of hair on her forehead. I love these sweet little gifts every little one comes with.










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Posted by Cheryl Hall. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and
June 12, 2013filed in Children, Families

EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY FOR NONPROFIT GRIEF COUNSELING CENTER’S 5K FUN RUN

Last month, I was honored to photograph The Kite Network's 2nd Annual 5K Fun Run & Family Walk. The Kite Network is local nonprofit providing one-on-one peer-based counseling to support people who are struggling following the loss of any loved one - a spouse, parent, sibling, friend, unborn child, relative, or treasured animal companion. When founder Julie Stotlar approached me about donating photography services, I jumped at the chance to support an organization that helps so many. 
 
I hope you enjoy seeing a few of my favorite images from the day and that the smiling faces you see here will bring a smile to your face as well.






























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Posted by Cheryl Hall. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and
May 18, 2013filed in Babies, Children

DO YOU SEE A SPECIAL SOMEONE IN THESE SNAPSHOTS FROM 'MOMMY AND ME' AT LAMAZE FAMILY CENTER ANN ARBOR

Earlier this month, I was invited to help raise funds for a wonderful local nonprofit, the Lamaze Family Center Ann Arbor. They hosted a "Mommy and Me Tea" at the center to celebrate Mother's Day. Guests arrived for the event in their best tea-time clothes. What better time to have a little taste of what a complete CHP custom portrait session is all about? I've recently been processing the images from the day and thought I would share a few of them here. Thanks to the happy moms and little ones, the gorgeous spring weather, a well-placed stretch of grass in the center's parking area, and my trusty 70-200 mm lens, capturing these portraits felt like a walk in the park. Such fun!  
 
Do you see any special faces here? Post a comment and share this post with your friends! 








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Posted by Cheryl Hall. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and
May 10, 2013filed in Children, Families

Sweet Brothers

One of my all time favorite brothers to photography..I am always so amazed at how much fun they have together and touched by their kindness and love for each other. It's such a joy documenting their childhood and being part of their fun!


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Posted by Cheryl Hall. Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and
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